Political reactions to the Paris attacks: from national unity to politics as usual

How will the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015 affect domestic politics within France? Marta Lorimer assesses the reactions from the country’s main political parties. She writes that while the previous terrorist attacks in Paris in January resulted in a display of political unity, the united front following the November attacks has been much shorter lived. Although some political figures from the opposite side of the political spectrum have offered support to President Hollande, other actors, including former President Nicolas Sarkozy and members of the Front National, have already voiced criticism of the government’s security and immigration policies in light of the attacks.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: French regional elections, 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-regional-elections-2015/

ESO: Background information: France seeks answers to security challenge http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-seeks-answers-to-security-challenge/

ESO: Background information: Hollande scrambles to defuse ‘panic at the top’ http://www.europeansources.info/record/hollande-scrambles-to-defuse-panic-at-the-top/

Politico, 19.11.15: In blame game, Sarkozy takes hit for police cuts http://www.politico.eu/article/french-police-failings-blamed-on-sarkozy-cuts-paris-attacks-terrorist-operation/

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